Charlottesville County Arrest Records

In the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, arrest records contain information about arrests made by the Charlottesville City Sheriff’s Office, the Charlottesville Police Department and other local law enforcement in the city. The Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail houses inmates detained within Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and Nelson County.

In some cases, arrest records in Charlottesville City form the basis for legal proceedings and, consequently, become part of Charlottesville City Court Records. Together, these records provide a comprehensive view of an individual’s interactions with the criminal justice system in Charlottesville City.

Are Arrest Records Public in Charlottesville County?

Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Charlottesville City arrest records are public records that interested persons in the county may inspect, view, and copy. It should be noted that certain arrest records may be exempt from public view. These include:

• Confidential information, proprietary information, trade secrets, and financial information.
• Records of active investigations.
• Health records.
• Reports and court documents required to be kept confidential.
• Sealed or expunged records.
• Juvenile records.

Charlottesville County Arrest Statistics

The Virginia State Police (VSP) publishes yearly arrest and crime statistics reports in the state. In 2023, Charlottesville County reported a total number of 87, including 28 violent crime arrests and 59 property crime arrests. The violent crime arrests included five for murder, one for rape, three for robberies, and 19 for aggravated assaults. The property crime arrests included 18 for burglary, 31 for larceny, and ten for motor vehicle theft. There was no arson-related arrest.

Find Charlottesville County Arrest Records

The Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail Authority provides online access to inmate records by following the steps in the link. Information on inmates currently housed is also accessible on the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC). Interested persons may use the VADOC Inmate Locator to search for current inmates. It may be searched by name, inmate ID number, alias, age, sex, and race.

The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) provides the BOP inmate locator for individuals who may be incarcerated in federal facilities.

Charlottesville County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

While arrest records and criminal records are often used interchangeably, they refer to different types of documents within the criminal justice system in Charlottesville City. Arrest records document specific incidents where law enforcement took individuals into custody. They include details about the arrest itself but do not necessarily indicate that the individual was convicted of a crime.

Criminal records are more comprehensive documents that contain information about an individual’s entire criminal history. This includes arrests, charges, convictions, and sentences over time. Criminal records provide a complete picture of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. They are often used for background checks in employment, licensing, and legal matters.

Arrest records focus solely on the event of an arrest, while criminal records encompass a broader history, including all legal actions taken against the individual. Also, an arrest record does not imply guilt or conviction, whereas a criminal record may reflect convictions and sentences.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Virginia, arrests generally remain on a person’s record indefinitely, regardless of whether they resulted in a conviction. However, if it meets the eligibility criteria under Virginia law, individuals may be allowed to petition for expungement to remove the arrest record from their public record. In Charlottesville, Virginia, expungement involves the removal of arrest records and charges from the public view. The records are not destroyed; they become inaccessible to the public and may only be accessed by court order.

According to the Virginia Code 19.2-392.2, expungement is not automatic, and only persons not convicted may apply for expungement, including:

• A defendant who pleads “not guilty” and is acquitted by a judge or jury.
• A person in a civil action who is charged with contempt of court but is found not guilty.
• A defendant in which the Commonwealth Attorney’s office decides not to prosecute (nolle prosequi) for all charges.
• A defendant charged with assault and battery or other misdemeanor for which the defendant could also be sued in a civil action if the injured person states in writing they received satisfaction for the injury and the case is dismissed.
• A person whose name or identification has been used without consent or authorization in a criminal case (identity theft). That is, the crime was committed by someone else who used your identity.
• A defendant convicted of a crime who later received an absolute pardon.

The court generally considers prior records and the severity of the charges when considering an expungement petition.

An application for expungement involves filing a petition in the circuit court for the jurisdiction where the charge(s) were made. For cases of mistaken identity conviction, file the petition in the court where the case was decided (even if it is a district or juvenile court). It is advised that you file the case with an attorney; however, you may also file it without an attorney (“pro se”). The circuit court may provide you with the applicable forms for filing but cannot give you legal advice. After filing the petition:

• Serve the petition on the Commonwealth of Virginia Attorney. The Attorney has 21 days to respond. The response is not required to be a filed written answer.
• Get a full set of fingerprints from a law enforcement agency or fingerprinting entity and submit them along with two copies of your expungement petition to the Virginia State Police.
• The law enforcement agency submits your fingerprints to the Virginia Central Criminal Records Exchange with a copy of your expungement petition.
• The Central Criminal Records Exchange sends a copy of your criminal history, a copy of the Central Criminal Records Exchange documents you want expunged, and your fingerprints to the court.
• The court will decide on the expungement. If the court grants the application, it will forward the necessary information to the Virginia State Police to complete the process.
• The Virginia State Police will send a letter confirming the completion of the expungement process.

Applicants may need to pay the filing fee of $86 and the $12 service fee when filing the petition. If you seek expungement because you were the victim of identity theft, the petition is free.

Charlottesville County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are legal documents issued by a court authorizing law enforcement to apprehend an individual suspected of committing a crime.

An arrest warrant includes the following information:

• The name and identifying information of the individual to be arrested.
• A description of the alleged crime.
• The date and time the warrant was issued.
• The name of the issuing judge.
• Any conditions or instructions for the arresting officer.

Do Charlottesville County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Charlottesville, Virginia, arrest warrants do not expire and remain valid indefinitely. These warrants stay active until law enforcement apprehends the individual or the warrant is recalled by the issuing judge. A court may also quash or invalidate an arrest warrant, but until such actions are taken, the warrant continues to be enforceable.